Head of Security
About this role
About Hashgraph:
Hashgraph is a fast-growing software company committed to supporting, developing and servicing Hedera, an open source, proof-of-stake platform. Hedera is EVM-compatible and has been specifically built to meet the needs of enterprise and web3 applications, which require speed, security, stability and sustainability. Hedera’s public network is governed by industry-leading organizations, spanning 11 sectors and 14 regions who oversee the development and direction of the decentralized platform.
Why this role exists:
We are hiring a Head of Security to help advance our mission by building the security function for a digital asset trading platform that operates as its own business unit, alongside an established security organization that provides shared services and standards. The work includes setting up the governance that regulators and institutional partners will trust.
This role exists to ensure that user funds and platform infrastructure are protected, and that the governance around them earns the trust of regulators and institutional partners.
In this role, you will:
Set the security strategy and own the policy framework and risk management program for the business unit, with right-sized governance around them, including escalation paths, risk registers, risk acceptance and exception processes, and a metrics-driven reporting cadence for executives and external stakeholders. You will be the accountable owner for the business unit’s security posture.
Decide which certifications, attestations, and regulatory frameworks the business needs, then carry the chosen ones through to completion. You will also align the program with regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions the business operates in, manage third-party and vendor risk, and serve as the primary security contact for regulators, auditors, institutional partners, and banking counterparties.
Custody, wallet infrastructure, key management, and hot, warm, and cold wallet operations fall under your oversight.
Govern smart contract security through audit requirements, bug bounty programs, and secure release gates. You will make sure the architecture behind trading, matching, settlement, and withdrawal flows is secure, and drive secure SDLC, vulnerability management, and application security practices.
Own security monitoring and incident response, including crisis playbooks for exploits, key compromise, and market-impacting events. You will run tabletop exercises, red team engagements, and penetration testing, coordinate with legal, compliance, communications, and executive leadership when an incident requires regulatory notification or public disclosure, and oversee business continuity and disaster recovery planning as it relates to security.
Lead a small security function that combines direct execution with tooling, partners, and shared services, and manage the security budget, tooling strategy, and vendor relationships. You will partner with engineering, product, legal, and finance to embed security into how the company builds and operates, and define how the function should grow, hiring selectively as the business scales.
What success looks like in 6-12 months:
A right-sized governance framework is operating, with a risk register, an exception process, defined ownership, metrics reported to the business unit’s leadership, and clear escalation.
The certifications, attestations, and regulatory frameworks the business needs have been determined, and the path to them has been delivered with clean outcomes.
Incident playbooks for key compromise, exploits, and market-impacting events are written, and the team has worked through at least one tabletop exercise.
A staffing plan for the function is in place, setting out what to hire and what to draw from shared services, sequenced to risk and business growth.
What you bring:
Core capabilities:
Judgment to decide which frameworks and certifications are warranted for a given stage and market.
Practical judgment about what a lean function should build itself and what it should draw from shared services, tooling, and partners.
Technical judgment balanced with program-level governance, in a senior, hands-on role with direct visibility to executive leadership.
Comfort working in a lean team and a matrixed environment.
The ability to communicate clearly with engineers, executives, regulators, and auditors.
Functional expertise:
10+ years in information security, including 5+ years in senior security leadership.
Direct security leadership experience at a centralized exchange (CEX), decentralized exchange (DEX), or comparable digital asset trading or custody platform, including leading incident response through a material security event.
A track record designing and running security governance programs covering policy, risk, audit, and executive reporting, and building or operating compliance and assurance programs.
Strong understanding of crypto-native threats, including private key compromise, smart contract exploits, oracle and bridge attacks, front-end and supply chain compromise, insider risk, and social engineering.
Working knowledge of key management and custody models (HSM, MPC, multisig) and blockchain protocol fundamentals.
Preferred skills and experience:
Regulatory engagement across multiple jurisdictions (US, EU, UAE, APAC).
Background in smart contract security, DeFi protocol risk, or on-chain monitoring and forensics.
Experience standing up a security function inside a newer or fast-scaling business unit.
Familiarity with DevSecOps and application security posture management.
Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, or CCSP.
Contributions to industry standards bodies, ISACs, or open security communities.
Originally posted on Himalayas
